UNDENIABLE FACTS ABOUT INTERNET OF THINGS SECURITY

Internet of Things, the word of the day

The Internet of Things [IoT] continues to be more rooted in our daily lives, increasing value to business and offering society for environmental and human gain. As we continue to depend on IoT, however, it is important that we put emphasis on cyber security to secure our investments, as well as competitive advantages for enterprises and for individuals over the world.

IoT devices and sensors are making collection of data limitless and inevitable. From pictures and emails through to cars, buildings, factories and turbines, it is estimated as per market research that by 2020 more than 50 billion connected devices will be utilized worldwide, thus creating 44 trillion gigabytes of info every year. Cognitive systems will advance our capability to utilize the information gathered from the vast volumes of info to assist us in making informed decisions. It is changing us for good, however if the data is left to get accumulated, it can eventually cause more damage than good.

Concerns and Challenges

The public may not be necessarily aware of the risks in regards to technology like IoT devices, as they don’t always take safety measures, allowing the cyber criminals/ hackers to take advantage creating more security violations unavoidable.

Therefore, it isstakeholder’s duty to take all stance on IoT security. As info becomes more available helping us to make important decisions, there are five indisputable facts on cyber security that we need to be aware to avoid cyber-attacks.

1.       Devices will function in aggressive circumstances

Unlike the tablets, mobile phones, laptops we utilize and lug with us practically anywhere, daily, IoT devices often functionwithout human control. So it’s necessary that IoT devices, like the remote office temperature controls, must be both resistant and rough to physical manipulation.

In the meantime, they need to be capable of recuperating after an attack and fail carefully by breaking down to a manageable processing level- all without human interference. They need visibility and monitoring to handle an unexpected scenario.

2.       Weak configurations will carry on

The pre-chosen configuration of an IoT device will commonly remain in its place as it takes notion and encourages users to change it. If default settings of an instrument have access control switched off, then it becomes the owner’s choice to improve the security. Instead security choices as per market research, should be default or a measure of an inceptive system process – this way the users will be required to make the decision to cancel default securities.

3.       Shared confidential do not remain private

A substantial amount of IoT devices come pre-loaded with similar credentials from various devices. Although the pre-chosen credentials should be changed by users earlier than when the devices are made operational, they are often left as they are. Default confidential is not confidential.

Attackers can use them to takeover such devices for any reasons, making them exposed to interruption. By delivering devices that prompt users to change the password after first use on the device that they deliver thus making sure that there is no default password that can be utilized later.

4.       Software security will worsen over time

All software in use must be updated. The mending process takes place in highly unrestrained environments. However, even if all known vulnerabilities are addressed with initial release, new revelations and vectors for outbreak will almost certainly be exposed. The danger of attack rises with the amount of time the equipment remains in service. Therefore, this means system security will require updating frequently for the device life affecting the supply chain for equipment as well as software.

5.       As data conforms, vulnerable issues will increase

One of the key business drivers for IoT is the info that’s produced devices/ solutions. That puts emphasis on data security along with how its generated, utilized and discarded. IoT devices are absorbing large amounts of info of sensitive/ personal data, including everything from transcripts, audio recordings, GPS locations and heart rate readings. If the info is not managed, protected and demolished when its confirmed to be un-worthy than the danger of holding on to it, the output may lead to loss of privacy and to issues of data ownership. Overall, the necessity of connecting with solution providers and IoT vendors can be divulged with your data. 

How to protect your system against WannaCry Ransomware?

You have probably heard of WannaCry ransomware attack by now and would be confused as to what is going on and whether your computer is safe or not.

So, what is a WannaCry Ransomware? Is it a Trojan or a virus? Do you need a patch to fix it? The below given information is everything you need to know about the WannaCry Ransomware and ways to protect your system from it.

WannaCry Ransomware

WannaCrypt or WannaCry is a type of ransomware [ a malicious software] that encrypts the device’s hard disk drive and then extends over between devices on the same local area network [ LAN]. WannaCry Ransomware spreads through malicious attachments from email as well.

WannaCry Ransomware encodes the files on infected windows computer and spreads by using vulnerability in applications of server message block [ SMB] in Windows OS. Approximately 100 countries, including India were attacked by this massive WannaCry Ransomware. While once hit, users are told to pay $300 in Bitcoins to re-claim their information.

How to protect your system against WannaCryRansomware?

CERT-In, i.e. Computer Emergency Response Team of India recently issued an utmost important alert [ red color]. They have advised Windows using organizations and individuals to apply patches to Windows OS. Technology experts opined that this WannaCry Ransomware was targeting common files such as Doc, PPT, TIFF and MP4 and MKV files.

Update your system

Update your Window OS and install all the new patches. Install the Microsoft fix MS17-010 immediately to protect your computer from WannaCry Ransomware. After the Microsoft fix is installed, reboot the system.

Do not open suspicious emails, apps or websites

WannaCry ransomware breaks out through phishing emails, dubious apps, malicious advertisements on websites and suspicious software programs. Therefore, the best thing you can do to defend your system is by avoid clicking on such dubious emails and adverts. You can install software and apps which can be directly downloaded from official online stores, website and service etc.

Don’t pay money

Paying money [ ransom] will not guarantee the malware’s removal from your system or even safe retrieval of your files. Furthermore, there is a probability that hackers will strike against you once more and demand more money.

Back up your system

Make sure that you create secure backups of the all the necessary info asap in a completely different system. Technology gurus point out that cloud storage is another choice you can consider; however, it makes your data vulnerable to other kinds of attacks. Therefore, make sure that you have a secure backup for all the important information you need all the time.

Install anti-virus software

Many good antivirus software offer tools to remove these types of ransomware. You can make use of such antivirus software tools, it assists you in removing malware and virus quickly and painlessly. Additionally, the antivirus software actively monitors your system and prevents all incoming threats, all the while quarantining and removing all suspicious software.

7 ways attackers steal privileged credentials

Organizations are as strong as their security systems are. Measurements, numbers, facts and observations act as the basis for strategy formulation in any organization. This is applicable to all types of Industries irrespective of the products and services they deal with. It then becomes a necessity to safeguard the knowledge capital in the form of data and facts. Key information is usually maintained as privileged credentials by the top Management in organizations.

Privileged credentials include confidential financial data, information pertaining to personal identification and critical health records in specific industries.  Some of the entry points through which hackers access such pertinent information are accounts that are administrative and privileged in nature, application backdoors, hardcoded passwords and default passwords assigned to certain aspects of the network.

The crux of the matter is how much security is offered to privileged credentials to protect them from being hacked. A clear understanding of the techniques deployed by the hackers to steal privileged credentials will help us understand the importance and means to protect the same.

1.      Privileged credentials is the target for attack

Privileged credentials which act as oxygen to organizations, acts as the gateway for hackers to take away crucial information.  Without laying their hands on such pivotal information hackers’ movements in the concerned networks gets blocked. It is these privileged credentials that provide them the access to servers which will enable steal pertinent data and track the domain controllers. These domain controllers ultimately makes them take complete control over the IT environment of organizations as a whole. Block the access to privileged controls in order to block your data from getting hacked.

2.      Safeguard your security system

All organizations which are interested to safeguard their data must ensure that their security systems are secured at the first instance. Attention must be focussed on setting up detection methods and data encryption systems right while setting up the privileged credentials network. An organization’s security system is effective only to the extent of security available for privileged accounts in the network. This makes it mandatory to put the security system in place for the privileged credentials before the general security solutions are put in place.

3.      Domain controllers are the key

Domain Controllers act as the key to the IT environment of organizations. When hackers get their hands of domain controllers, organizations lose their control over the complete IT infrastructure. Access to domain controllers is the passport given to the hackers to move around the network freely. They can travel through the IT environment end to end without any hassles when they are able to lay their hands on Domain controllers. It is highly difficult to pinpoint the exact space of infection and can get manifested the moment any user downloads a malware or when they click on the phishing link. When this happens, the complete infrastructure comes under the control of hackers within a few minutes. Safeguard your domain controller so you disallow the hackers to take charge of your privileged credentials.

4.      Identifying the exact security need

Identifying the exact need to safeguard the privileged credentials from the hackers is the beginning point of all efforts taken towards protecting the same. When Privileged Accounts are secured in a perfect manner the entire network escapes from the wrath of mischievous insiders as well as the malicious outsiders. The high levels of protection offered to privileged accounts add value to general network security by keeping strict control over the access rights given to users in different capacities.             

5.      Privileged Accounts post breach

Once a hacker takes over the Domain controller, it is advisable to build the infrastructure completely right from the scratch. New systems need to be installed with the help of new hardware. The first thing that needs to be addressed post breach is to add multiple layers of security to privileged credentials. This will safeguard the overall security of the entire network in the organization making it stronger than ever before. Post breach organizations will be more proactive since they have already experienced the effect of lack of the same.

6.      Plugins and Applications for periodical security audits

Hackers find it easy to hack privileged credentials that are not proactively audited and protected. Privileged credentials can be safeguarded at all points of time if security audits are conducted periodically in an in depth manner. There are many applications and plugins available to conduct such security audits in set periodicities. Such applications are capable of identifying the privileged accounts connecting them with the relevant user authorized to operate on the same. This attaches complete responsibility with the particular accounts, usage of which is constantly tracked. Such constant tracking enable steady monitoring, blocking or terminating any activity that is suspicious.

7.      Management and support for Privileged Credentials

Managements of every organization must make protection for privileged credentials as their priority at all points of time. Unless the importance of the same is clearly understood by business heads, the bright days will belong to the hackers who are waiting for the next hacking opportunity. Top Management of organizations must ensure that relevant policies are enforced on time to protect privileged credentials. These policies can hover around password usage protocols which must include privileged accounts also. Organizations must also have proper systems in place which allows automatic replacement of passwords once an employee in crucial position gets relieved from his responsibilities. Periodical quality audits will also ensure the implementation of access rights in the set ways and set manner.

Ever organization has its own set of privileged credentials. Privileged credentials, looked at from this angle, is something internal to every organization. While the infrastructural arrangements and security levels differ between one organization and the other, the basic motto of organizations is profit making and sustenance. Unprotected IT accounts and privileged credentials can cause huge dent for an organization from a finance and security point of view. It is prudent to be proactive and safeguard the privileged credentials than reacting to breaches which costs a fortune to the organization. Be prudent. Safeguard your business by safeguarding your privileged credentials. 

Technologies that are sure to stay here even after 2025

Recently there has been a lot of talk about automation, device mesh, IoT across enterprises- both big and small. Below are some of the radical technologies that are predicted by market research to be still be relevant in 2025 and beyond.

1.       Augmented/ Virtual – Mixed Reality

In Virtual reality, the entire real world is interchanged with a replicated one giving you a near life-experience of the environment. Samsung gear is one of the most commonly used virtual reality. Another example is that of Facebook Oculus which is a clear indication that facebook usage with laptop/ mobile will evolve to VR soon.

Augmented reality is where aspects of the real world are complemented by computer simulation in real time. A number of fields like archeology, education as well as visual arts use augmented reality. According to market research, AR revenues will develop and hit key mass in healthcare distribution as well as product management/ design related cases.

Magic leap and Microsoft hololens are two good examples of mixed reality. We could experience the evolution of Augmented Reality/ Virtual Reality into a Mixed reality, giving the customers a unified user experience.

2.       Cyber security

The transformation of the cyber space is happening really rapidly, especially due to the mass usage of mobile apps to social platforms as well as social media. The threat to corporate/ personal sensitive data is always there. Distributed denial of service [ DDoS] is one of growing method of attack, which is considered to be a one of the most unique in the history of cyber-breaches.

The Technology market is focused on cyber security intelligence in the coming years

3.       Connected Intelligent Systems

Primarily, the Robotic Process Automation programing rule-based process will get into a final phase by the year 2020. Secondly, the data science based Big data systems will look for greater intelligent system to compute the info. Thirdly, mobile apps which have taken mainstream in the recent years will see a noticeable decline by 2019. Last but not the least, the IoT device utilization will see a rapid increase and questions regarding sizing and cutting the info will again become difficult. These technology platforms will incline to Machine learning and AI systems and unite onto an interconnected platform to offer a cohesive eco-system to simply, forecast and develop the use experience and scale the business model as well.

4.       Digital Twins

In simple language, digital twins are a pairing technology that connects the digital and physical society and brings a digitalized view of the product. It has been utilized for monitoring, analyzing and making suggested transformations to the physical assets as well as estimating future performances of the assets through various scenarios at the same time.

Market research predicts Digital twins to be top ten technology trends in the coming years.

5.       Industrial internet

The term means a world over convergence of industrial system with the power of improved computing, low cost sensing, analytics and new levels of connections allowed by internet.

They enable businesses to use machine to machine learning, software and sensors to collect/ analyze info from physical objects or other data streams and then utilize these analyzed results to handle operations to proffer valued added services using automations, predictive algorithms, physics founded analytics etc.

Technology market research predicts that by 2019, 45% of IoT created info will be processed/ stored/ analyzed at edge of network.

What Will Be The Future of Digital Marketing in the next 10 years

You might be well aware of today’s advancements in technology as it is reaching up to the heights. In the next 10 years, there will be invention of new technologies and the consumer behavior will be changing along with it. In the next 10 years, digital marketing will have a different face.

Here are a few changes that would decide the future of digital marketing:

1)     Mobile- Centric Marketing:

The shift from desktop to smart phones is extraordinary. This speedy shift to smart phones has led to a higher level of personalization. As smart phones carry on to replace desktop in the coming years, they will play a vital role in creating more personal interaction between the brand and the consumer.

 Due to smaller screen size in smart phones as that of desktops, there will be a shift to content to small screens. As a result, consumption content in social media platforms will grow exponentially. This will make it easy to understand and track consumer behavior. Therefore, it will be really useful in preparing marketing campaigns. Personalization will be the key focus area of marketing in the coming years.

2)     Customer Journey Mapping:

Other noteworthy growth of marketing will be in customer journey mapping. This will become an integral part of marketing strategy in improving consumer interactions and experience. The sheer amount of information obtained using advanced technology will assist in better recognizing consumer’s needs.

In order to better engage with customers, the brands will change their focus on building brand loyalty. There will be loads of modification; website will be designed especially for a particular customer as this will attract the customer to spend time and money on brands.

3)     Transparency will increase:

Customers like to have transparency in business. Being a consumer, you would wait for additional information that will be in detailed regarding the quality of the service or product that you purchase. To meet such expectations from brands, customers will have to be more genuine and transparent.

Brands must understand the preference of customers and provide them more modified offerings to strengthen the brand’s status.  No user wants to connect with brand which does not provide adequate data or satisfactory services. Therefore, it is vital for any business to give their customer the first priority.

4)     Final thoughts:

Just as technology develops the consumer requirements increase as well. According to a market research, consumer’s experience and feedback will offer the content for digital marketing, in near future. Ensure your brand keeps up with latest improvements in technology.

The Latest Trend In Education through Internet of Things

Today rather than an encourager in education, technology is more catalyst. It is progressively changing the education landscape. As per a market reasearch, around 6.4 million connected things in use world over, up 30% from the last. Looking further at the same number in 2020 and the forecast suggests it will be close to 21 billion.

Also, over 80% of participants stated the IOT (Internet of Things) will be the most strategic technology initiative for their organization in a decade.

By 2020, a research estimates that, 30 billion total devices will be connected; nearly triple the number that exists today. 

Following Healthcare and Customer service, IOT in the education industry is disturbing the learning market in a worldwide way as education is becoming part of this evolution.  

Institutions like education are leveraging the Cloud and Radio Frequency Identification to run Big Data. IOT is also allowing real-time view of students and staff for growing effectiveness and informed decision making.

 A quick look at the e-learning space shows the current criticisms against the sector like dropping completion rates, escalating costs and a lack of career readiness amongst learners. The industry is looking to IOT for a shot in the arm and several solutions are being researched to get better and improve the e-learning experience.

Learning on the GO:

Learning has travelled a fair distance from the now humble desktop to numerous devices as everyone wants learning on the go. With online lessons, IOT and learning tools with interactive and engaging content are being made available across platforms. Even as Smart ID cards are being used for attendance marking devices like wrist brands and GPS enabled bus service make sure of safety of students by tracking the location of the bus to give the information real time to parents and the administrators.   

Associated devices not only focus to offer benefits to students with special needs by making essential changes as per the needs of the students but also come handy in conditions of lockdown for emergency reasons.

Content has altered in the way it is designed, curated and presented. To generate content, which can transcend devices and elicit a response is anything however easy but many companies are looking at old programming of Education, namely HTML5, to do the job. One of the significant purposes for this programming switch from Flash to HTML5 in elearning is the rampant use of linked devices and the rise of the -bring your own device (BYOD) movement. An increasing number of devices support HTML5 and interestingly, it is more effective in CPU usage leading to better battery life and offers for offline storage of information. With features like these, HTML5 eLearning authoring tools are fast becoming must-haves and Adope Captivate 9, Articulate Storyline, and Elucidate are just some of the names making best use of HTML5.  

Managing Projects Better:

In the place of work, elearning has become a norm as it has been shown to diminish costs, make learning quicker still more efficient and boost productivity. Deciding a project management tool is one of the most important decisions an elearning team makes. One of the governing factors in making this choice is the tool’s flexibility while remaining completely functional. While there are many tools in the market, there are some that offer standout features.  

Thanks to the boom of technology market, team work will be never be the same again. Learning, especially elearning has become more relevant and robust to corporations and people similar. By means of improvement in connectivity and corresponding upgrades in software, there are more convincing answers to questions thrown up by industry, which makes this an engaging space to watch. 

Seven Best technologies with potential to change the healthcare industry

Technological advancements in the healthcare industry have transformed the global healthcare extremely. Aspects like declining healthcare budgets, ever-increasing population, growth in chronic illnesses are forcing government and healthcare providers to adopt innovative technologies for proffering a solution to these challenges.

Subsequently, the worldwide healthcare industry is primarily in the position to be the key driver of new technological advancements like the Internet of Things [ IoT]. Devices such as the smart watch, smart phone and other emerging technologies will be a major driving force of this revolution.

1.       Digital Therapy

There are healthcare interventions given to the patients through devices like a laptop or smart phone. These devices combine medical therapy/practice into a digital form. Computerized cognitive behavioral therapy [ CBT] is a new collection of automated digital therapies whose objective is to proffer CBT at a scale with better engagement.

2.       Artificial Intelligence [ AI] & Machine learning

Machine learning is a type of Artificial Intelligence that provides learning capabilities to computers without being overtly programmed. Thus, the computers can adapt themselves and transform according to the requirement, i.e. when they are exposed to a new set of data. With Artificial Intelligence, there will be an enormous amount of information to explore. In fact, several technology conglomerates have already started investing in this technologies.

3.       Liquid Biopsies

Liquid biopsies is a technology programmed to detect liver and other kinds of cancer at a very initial stages, even before they symptoms show themselves. This is done by sequencing the DNA by few drops of blood collected from the person. As per many experts, the liquid biopsies rely on the gene sequencing machines, that could help scientists and researchers to detect specific patters of rearranged DNA that are tellingsigns of a cancerous tumor.

4.       Implantable drug delivery systems

As per healthcare technology market research, it is forecasted thatapproximately third and half of all the medicines prescribed to patients with long-term health conditions are not taken in the correct format as prescribed by the physicians. Upcoming technologies have the capability of changing this by equipping professionals with the power of continuous monitoring.

The market research also includes that in future, there could be a sensor technology, so small that it can be swallowed with drugs in a tablet form. So as soon as the pill dissolves in the stomach, the sensor is activated and transmits needed information to the smartphone device.

5.       Genome Sequencing

Major development in genome sequencing and related fields will assist in understanding the disease better. Genome sequencing provides us with a genetic profile of the patient’s disease, which can help doctors to provide better treatment.

According to a market research report, several big projects are in development globally, to better understand the relation between health conditions and genes. For e.g., in the UK, the state is investing 100,000 Genomes project.

6.       Smart Phones

Smartphones are not a new invention but its full potential is yet to be realized, at least in the healthcare sector. Efforts, however have been made but with little success.

With powerful processing capabilities, smart phones can be used as a hub for new diagnosis and treatment technologies. Market research demonstratesa healthcare projects like the BigPD that aims to sign up to 100,000 people and gain new insights into Parkinson’s disease.

7.       3-D printing

There are many possible medical uses of 3-D printing. These uses can be categorized into several types, which includes implants & anatomical models, fabrication of new tissues and organs, production of personalized prosthetics, pharmaceutical research in regards to drug dosage formats and delivery/ discovery.

What Will Be The Future Of Machine Learning As a Service ?

The increasing adaptability of Machine Learning as a Service [MLaaS] is predicted to be beneficial for the its global market, particularly in assisting in reducing the complexity and thewait period to implement machine learning which further helps increase the adoption level.

As per Technology research report, the MLaaS market is estimated to rise up USD 3775 million in 2021 from USD 613.4 million in 2016, that means growing at approximately 43.7% of CAGR from 2016 to 2021.

World Wide reasons for increase in MLaaS adoption

·         The adoption of cloud-based and other high-end technologies

·         Innovations and advancement in technology sector

·         The increasing need to understand customer behavior

·         Increased investments in the healthcare industry

·         Upcoming options in the application areas

·         Improved connectivity and rise in data form IoT platforms

·         Increasing demand for private clouds among enterprises

These are some of the factors that are driving the growth of and promoting cloud based applications, therefore boosting the need of MLaaS market in the technology market.

Reasons that are hindering the growth of the market

·         Lack of skilled consultants/ professionalsto set up machine learning services

·         Government issues

·         Compliance issues

·         Lack of efficient and effective predictive technologies and the need for them to integrate into enterprises

These are some of the challenges faced by the Machine Learning as a Service market growth.

Healthcare industry to get the maximum traction among all industry verticals in the predicted time period

The application of MLaaSin the healthcare sector is used to comprehend customer actions and get in-depth information in regards to the clinical performance. It is also efficiently used in predicting future outcomes of patients by utilizing radical analytics technology.

As per a technology market research report, businesses are utilizing machine learning based applications to manage the needs of healthcare professionals. Due to real time data delivery element of the machine learning, doctors can have the precise information of the patients’ situation.

North America predicted to grow at the highest Compound annual growth rate during the forecasted period

North America is forecasted to hold the largest market share during 2017-2021.

One of the key reasons for this prediction is due to the rising number of SMEs in the Market Learning as a Service market offering service and solutions personalized as per customer standards. AsArtificial intelligence gets momentum in Northern America, small companies are providing machine learning solutions on various verticals as well as applications.

The market in North America is expected to see exponential growth and is predicted to be the fastest growing region for the MLaaS market due to cloud based solutions and enterprise mobility.

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What is influencing Global security market?

The international security products and services make up an industry that is worth more than $300 billion. The US is by far the largest market overall, however according to research the fastest gain will be found in the less developed market such as China, India, Mexico, Turkey, Brazil and South Africa etc.

As per a business insider, the rise in the global security market is cited to rising urbanization, economic development, increasing personal homes, insufficient public safety measures and also concerns about crime.

The decreasing crime rate and the power of perception

Across the globe, the rate of violent crimes has been in a downward spiral with some year to year vitality, and yet the demand for security products and services has continually increased.

A Technology market expert suggests that rather than the actually crime rate, it is the perception of how much crime takes place that influences the expenditure on security.

The safety concerns that increase due to widespread coverage of violent crimes in rapid 24*7 news cycle is one of the reasons for driving security growth. Another factor for the increasing market is due to instant rippling effects of the social media.

Even the crimes that have happened in a faraway place have the ability to make people nervous and fearful. There is a general feeling that if a crime that has effected someone on your Facebook feed, it can happen to you as well. The imagined fear, therefore becomes real.

Market environment elements play a crucial role

The macro-economic milieu also plays an important role, which can be complex than on might perceive.

According to a security market research , the economic growth serves to decrease the incidence of crime that is regards to unemployment and poverty. This mitigates the demand for products and services associated with increasing disposable income and rising societal wealth.

On the other hand, however the recession and economic slump increases the incidence of poverty and unemployment which has continually resulted in to greater crime rates, thus greater need but not essentiallygreater means for expending on security services and products.

Generally, security-related markets tend to do better through stages of economic expansion. The market movement is often in cyclical cycle, after the construction expenditure.

Furthermore, market research prediction expects the security market to benefit from the increased demand; it points out that even the more mature markets are seeing the growth from operational and technological innovations as well as pricing based on what competition is charging.